, Sun Pharma, and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories are setting up shop in these regions, offering not just jobs but entire ecosystems.

In Raipur, the Chhattisgarh government’s vision for ‘Naya Raipur’—a tech-forward smart city—is attracting semiconductor and AI firms. Rajkot, meanwhile, is marrying tradition with sustainability through initiatives like eco-schools and sponge city planning, all while boosting MSME growth. Vadodara is flourishing with construction and transport projects. Ranchi’s smart city infrastructure is drawing professionals from across Jharkhand. And in Agra, the New Agra project, with proposed manufacturing clusters worth ₹1,046 crore, is blending Mughal legacy with a modern industrial push. From business development roles to engineering, sales, operations, and education—job profiles are diversifying. For cities like Nashik, Raipur, and Rajkot, business development is driving hiring. In Vijayawada and Madurai, engineering remains a stronghold. Visakhapatnam is seeing surges in both pharma and tech. The career graph in these cities is no longer linear—it’s local, layered, and full of promise.For millions of Indians who left their hometowns in search of opportunity, this may be a moment of return. Not out of compulsion, but choice.

These rising cities offer more than just employment. They offer affordable housing, lesser pollution, tight-knit communities, and growing lifestyle options—all without the daily grind of metro chaos. LinkedIn’s data suggests that professionals are now open to staying closer to their roots if the city can match their ambition. Increasingly, these cities can.The 10 cities spotlighted in the report are: Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Nashik, Raipur, Rajkot, Agra, Madurai, Vadodara, and Jodhpur. Each of them carries a unique story of transformation and future potential.

Whether it’s Raipur’s ₹4.5 lakh crore investment proposals or Jodhpur’s startup-friendly work culture, the momentum is unmistakable.

India’s growth story has long been told through the lens of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. But as digital infrastructure expands and businesses rethink the geography of talent, the new heroes of economic growth may be cities where your grandmother lives, or where your childhood was spent.

So, if you’ve ever wished for a slower pace of life without compromising your ambition, perhaps the future isn’t in getting out—it’s in going back.